Exercise balls have been used in gyms and by people working out at home for several decades, and they have many benefits for those who want to improve their fitness levels or rehabilitate from an injury. Primarily, an exercise ball creates an unstable surface that makes your body work harder than normal as it tries to remain balanced. This creates an automatic engagement of your muscles, especially in the upper and lower abdomen.
There is a huge demand for exercise balls, and countless manufacturers that sell these products at stores and online sites. It’s essential that these companies follow specific safety standards to ensure that the ball is burst-resistant. Unfortunately, there are companies that are more concerned about profits than people’s safety, and this is why many consumers are injured from exploding exercise ball accidents.
If you sustained injuries from an exercise ball that popped, you are likely to have questions about the steps you can take to hold the manufacturer accountable. The legal experts of Normandie Law Firm are standing by to assist you, so please reach out to us at your earliest opportunity.
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Exploding Exercise Balls can Cause Serious Injuries
Most of the cases where someone is injured by an exercise ball happen when the person is lying on top of the ball or balancing with their feet or legs propped up on the ball. Body builders, for example, lie on an exercise ball while lifting weights to give make the exercise more challenging. One notable accident that you may have seen in the news involved Francisco Garcia of the Sacramento Kings, who suffered serious fractures in both arms when an exercise ball he was lying on exploded while he was lifting 100-pound weights.
Bone fractures and joint dislocations are the biggest source of injury with these cases. But victims can also end up with traumatic brain injury, permanent nerve damage, retinal detachment, and other serious, potentially life-threatening health issues. This is why manufacturers must ensure that exercise balls are designed and constructed properly.
Why Do Exercise Balls Explode?
Over the years, various tests have been conducted on exercise balls to determine why they fail. One issue that’s been found in some of these balls is the use of copper-based pigments. It’s believed that such pigments can cause degradations in PVC, the material most commonly used for exercise balls.
Balls can also explode because of thickness variations around the circumference, meaning that the variation in thickness in various sections of the ball is too extreme. As a result, pressure is not evenly distributed over the entire surface when there is a stressor (a part of someone’s body, for example). This can lead to a puncture in one section of the ball, thereby causing an explosion.
Figuring out the cause of why an exercise ball exploded is critical, as it will determine who you can sue for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other monetary damages.
Can I Sue if I was Injured by a Popped Workout Ball?
Yes, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit for being injured by an exercise ball that exploded. For the most part, the manufacturer is to blame, since they have a duty to make these products burst-resistant. But negligence, such as using improper materials, lack of quality control, and not following safety procedures can result in devastating injuries for the unsuspecting consumer.
If you were injured while using an exercise ball at a gym, you may have a case against the gym owner if the ball exploded because of their failure to maintain it. No matter how well an exercise ball is made, at some point, they need to be replaced or repaired. Balls should be inspected regularly to ensure they do not have cuts, abrasions, or other marks that make them susceptible to bursting. Another red flag to look out for is a dull or matte surface, which usually indicates that the surface cells on the ball have ruptured. This dramatically increases the potential for an explosion, so the ball should be considered defective at that point.
A defective sports or exercise equipment accident lawyer can ascertain who is liable for your injuries and help you file a claim for monetary compensation.
How Long Do I have to File an Exercise Ball Defect Injury Lawsuit?
The laws in California generally provide a 2 year statute of limitations on cases for injuries caused by defective products. In most cases, the 2-year time period starts on the date of when you were injured, which is the day of the accident. But there are extenuating circumstances that can change the starting date for the SOL, which our attorneys can go over with you in detail.
No matter how much time you have remaining for a lawsuit, quick and decisive action is the key to succeeding in a product liability case. An exploding exercise ball lawyer is here to help you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Law Firm Specializing in Defective Exercise Equipment Accidents
Defective products can cause significant harm to your health and finances, and manufacturers who are negligent in their duty of care need to be accountable for their actions. This is why we are tireless in our commitment to injury victims and their loved ones. Our legal team is here for you 24/7, and we are ready to provide you with advice and guidance on a product liability claim for an exploding exercise ball.
By contacting us, you will receive a free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options. In addition, we will provide you with a Zero Fee Guarantee if you are interested in filing a lawsuit. That means you can hire a defective exercise ball lawsuit attorney without paying for legal fees upfront. Our payment is recovered as a part of your settlement check, so if you don’t get paid from a product injury claim, neither do we.
Contact our office today and talk to a lawyer with experience in lawsuits against negligent manufacturers.
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